UT Tyler Professor Selected to Join Academy of Distinguished Teachers

AUSTIN – Five distinguished professors, including one from UT Tyler, will be inducted into The University of Texas System Academy of Distinguished Teachers during a ceremony on Tuesday, April 22. Neil Gray is a professor and chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry UTT. Gray, who is the recipient of numerous teaching awards, is co-director of UT Tyler’s UTeach program. According to a UT System news release, UTeach prepares high-quality science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) teachers.

According to the release, the Academy of Distinguished Teachers was created to recognize outstanding educators at UT’s nine academic institutions, and all members must be past recipients of the Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award. Officials say this year’s inductees have expertise that ranges from postmodern British fiction to training the next generation of energy leaders at the intersection of engineering, policy, and commercialization.

“The Academy honors the best of the best,” said UT System Chancellor Francisco G. Cigarroa, M.D. “It recognizes educators, not only those who are leaders in their field, but also those who are committed to improving teaching System-wide.”

“This is the second year that the University of Texas System honors outstanding educators across our nine academic institutions,” said Pedro Reyes, UT System Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. “These professors have all demonstrated commitment and leadership in education, and they will serve on a System-wide advisory and advocacy group promoting exemplary undergraduate learning across the entire System.”

Members of the Academy serve as a System-level advocacy group dedicated to enhancing teaching, fostering innovation in the classroom, and promoting interdisciplinary perspectives on education, according to the release. Visit http://www.utsystem.edu/offices/academic-affairs/university-texas-system-academy-distinguished-teachers for more information.